“At the 81st Golden Globes, the blockbuster biopic ‘Oppenheimer’ directed by Christopher Nolan claimed five awards, including the coveted Best Drama title. In a surprising turn of events, Yorgos Lanthimos’ ‘Poor Things’ emerged victorious in the Best Comedy or Musical category, defeating ‘Barbie’.”
In the latest awards ceremony, “Oppenheimer” emerged victorious in a showdown against “Barbenheimer.” Christopher Nolan, the director of “Oppenheimer,” clinched the Best Director award. Additionally, the film secured accolades for Best Drama Actor (Cillian Murphy), Best Supporting Actor (Robert Downey Jr.), and Best Score (Ludwig Göransson).
Creating a three-hour, dialogue-heavy, and R-rated film about a dark historical event wasn’t a straightforward decision, according to producer Emma Thomas, who expressed this while accepting the last award of the night. She also extended her thanks to Universal chief Donna Langley.
In addition to securing the Best Comedy or Musical award, “Poor Things” received acclaim for Emma Stone’s portrayal of Bella, a woman in Victorian times experiencing a unique and surreal sexual awakening.
Emma Stone expressed her perspective on the film, stating, “I see this as a rom-com.” However, it’s not the typical romantic comedy. In this case, it’s about Bella falling in love with life itself rather than a specific person. Stone emphasized Bella’s acceptance of both the positive and negative aspects of life, and this shift in perspective had a profound impact on her own outlook.
Lily Gladstone secured the Best Actress award in a dramatic film for her role in Martin Scorsese’s “Killers of the Flower Moon.” During her speech, she spoke in her native language from the Blackfeet Nation, marking a historic moment as the first Indigenous winner in this category.
“This is a historic win,” Gladstone emphasized. “It doesn’t just belong to me.”
The Golden Globes, in its ninth decade, underwent significant changes due to recent scandals. The Hollywood Foreign Press Association was dissolved, leading to a revamped awards show now airing on a new network (CBS). Its goal is to regain its status as the third most important awards show after the Oscars and Grammys. Notably, even the menu was updated to feature sushi from Nobu.
In his acceptance speech, Downey expressed gratitude, stating, “Golden Globes journalists, thank you for changing your game, therefore changing your name.”
The event had a bumpy beginning with Jo Koy as the host, starting the show at the Beverly Hilton International Ballroom in Beverly Hills, California. The Filipino American stand-up comedian touched on various anticipated subjects, including Ozempic, Meryl Streep’s frequent award wins, and the lengthy film “Oppenheimer.” Koy humorously mentioned, “I needed another hour” in reference to the film’s duration.
Jo Koy, the host, mentioned how he landed the gig just 10 days ago and humorously acknowledged the quick turnaround. He quipped, “You want a perfect monologue? I wrote some of these, and they’re the ones you’re laughing at.”
Robert Downey Jr. secured his third Golden Globe, surpassing “Kenergy.” In the competition between “Oppenheimer” and Greta Gerwig’s “Barbie,” Christopher Nolan emerged victorious for best director.
After a considerable wait, “Barbie,” the film with over $1.4 billion in earnings, finally clinched an award. Billie Eilish’s song “What Was I Made For?” won, and soon after, “Barbie” received the new award for “cinematic and box office achievement.” Despite expectations for Taylor Swift and her “Taylor Swift: The Eras Tour,” she continues to wait for her first Globe win after five nominations.
Margot Robbie, both the star and producer of “Barbie,” joyfully accepted the award while wearing a pink gown inspired by a 1977 Superstar Barbie. She dedicated the win to all those who love dressing up and going to the movies.
In the competition for the best screenplay award between “Barbie” and “Oppenheimer,” a surprise win went to Justine Triet and Arthur Harari for their work on the French courtroom drama “Anatomy of a Fall.” Later, the same film also received recognition as the best international film.
While winning a Golden Globe doesn’t guarantee success at the Oscars, it can significantly boost a movie’s chances. “Barbenheimer” is considered a strong contender.
Other notable winners included “The Holdovers,” with Paul Giamatti winning best actor and Da’Vine Joy Randolph winning for her supporting performance. In the animated film category, Hayao Miyazaki’s “The Boy and the Heron” unexpectedly triumphed over “Spider-Man: Across the Spider-Verse.”
On the TV side, the final season of “Succession” won best drama series for the third time. Hulu’s “The Bear” also secured multiple awards, including best comedy series.
A new stand-up special category was introduced this year, and Ricky Gervais emerged as the surprising winner. Chris Rock, nominated for “Selective Outrage,” didn’t take home the award.
Despite facing challenges and undergoing changes, the Golden Globes continue to be a significant event for Hollywood. They returned to NBC after a hiatus last year but experienced lower viewership.
During the show, presenters Will Ferrell and Kristin Wiig humorously declared, “The Golden Globes have not changed!”